President Monson Gives Thanks at Groundbreaking

Speaking to Italian Latter-day Saints, President Thomas S. Monson
expressed gratitude that a temple is being built in Rome.

At the groundbreaking
ceremony for the Rome Italy Temple on October 23, President Thomas
S. Monson expressed joy for the opportunity to join with the
Italian Saints for the historic ceremony. He said he was grateful
for the warm welcome he had received. He also gave a brief review
of the history of the Church in Italy.

Italy was first introduced
to the gospel almost 2,000 years ago by the Apostles Peter and
Paul, President Monson said. He noted that emissaries of the
restored Church began missionary efforts in June of 1850 with the
arrival of Elder Lorenzo Snow and two companions. Missionary
efforts ceased a few years later, but the work resumed in 1965 when
the Italian government gave Elder Ezra Taft Benson permission for
missionaries to enter the country.

From humble beginnings,
President Monson said, the Church in Italy has become nearly 25,000
members strong.

Joining President Monson at
the groundbreaking were Elder William R. Walker of the Seventy,
executive director of the Temple Department; Elder Erich W.
Kopischke of the Seventy, president of the Europe Area; and Elder
Kopischke’s counselors, Elder Gérald Caussé and Elder José A.
Teixeira, also of the Seventy.

In his comments during the
groundbreaking, Elder Walker told President Monson that he had
“made all the Saints in Italy happy by being here, and not just the
Saints in Italy, but Saints throughout the world who view this as a
great and historic day.

President Monson joins
leaders, officials, and guests in turning over soil at the
groundbreaking for the Rome Italy Temple.